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Burundi set to hold elections next month: FM

Xinhua, June 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Burundi Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Aimé Nyamitwe said on Saturday that his country was ready to hold elections next month.

"I can confirm that we're ready and the opposition wants to participate in the elections," Nyamitwe told Xinhua on the sidelines of the Africa Union (AU) Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Nyamitwe said he was optimistic that the AU would give green light for his country's plan to hold the elections.

However, some opposition parties are insisting that President Pierre Nkurunziza should not be allowed to seek a third term in office. This prompted street protests and a failed coup in the country last month.

When asked about the imprisoned members of the coup in prison, Nyamitwe said," The laws of the country have to take its course, and are free to have legal representation."

The crisis in Burundi is one of the issues expected to dominate proceedings at the coming AU Summit.

The opposition and civil societies say Nkurunziza's attempt to run for a third term in office contravenes the country's constitution, which sets a two-term limit for a president. Endi